Authority responsible for the measure. x x x x x x x Ministry of Education and Research

Transcription

1 Implementation Estonia 2020 Action Plan Approved by Government Action plan for, and implementation time of each measure by challenge Challenge/Measure Authority responsible for the measure New and elaborated measures are marked with blue colour Column M marks implemented measures "" and completed measures are "" Description of the implementation of the measure is in column L CSR Summary of the implementation of the measures EDUCATED PEOPLE AND COHESIVE SOCIETY 1. Improving the quality of the educational system and adapting it to demographic changes I. Ensuring high-quality education at all education levels a. Continuing the transition from professional grades of teachers to a single vocation system with an aim of keeping teachers motivated for professional development. b. Increasing the average pay for teachers to a level that makes a teachers' job a desirable career choice c. Continuing payment for start-up support to teachers entering the profession. d. Providing 30% etra pay to Estonian-medium teachers in Ida-Viru county Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Starting from November 2014, the professional qualification system was fully implemented and professional qualifications can be applied for, based on all teachers professional qualification standards. Promotional work has begun to implement the opportunities created by the professional qualification system when developing compensation and motivation systems for schools. As of 1 January 2014, teachers pay was raised to a minimum of 800, as of 1 January 2015 to 900 and as of 1 January 2016 to 958. For every full-time teaching position, the operators of general education schools across Estonia receive a grant for the payment of an average gross salary of 1,149 (as of 2016). In 2014, start-up support was paid to 67 teachers; as of March 2015, si more teachers received the support. Activity completed in regard to 2014 and continues.

2 e. Providing additional Estonian language courses to employees of the public and third sectors and to upper secondary, vocational and university students. Ministry of Education and Activity completed in regard to 2015 and continues. In August 2015, B2 and C1 level Estonian language courses for more than 200 kindergarten, general education and vocational education teachers were launched in Ida-Viru county. Estonian language teaching activities were launched in 2015 under various programmes, including adult learning programmes, in the framework of the Lifelong Learning Strategy All local authorities can apply under the open application round for project support of language learning courses intended for public and third sector employees; language training for education staff is funded from the State budget. f. Implementing measures under the national programme with an aim of improving the quality of Estonian language teaching in Russian-medium lower secondary schools to ensure that those leaving school will have reached the independent user level in Estonian. Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. In 2015, teaching based on the curriculum leading to the International Baccalaureate was available in Tallinn and Tartu and the curriculum leading to the European Baccalaureate was followed by Tallinn European School. g. Ensuring the provision of internationally recognised English-medium level education by developing the European Schools in Estonia and promoting IB studies. Ministry of Education and h. Implementation of higher education reform. Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. From 2014, teaching based on the curriculum leading to the International Baccalaureate is available in Tallinn and Tartu and the curriculum leading to the European Baccalaureate is followed by Tallinn European School. The period from 2013 to 2015 was a transitional period for the higher education reform; The reform was launched at the beginning of 2015 and free study places have been made available. It was decided to change the initial financing model; the relevant proposals have been prepared and the implementation plan completed. The implementation of the new model has been scheduled for the beginning of i. Analysing lower and upper secondary syllabi with an aim of improving them. Ministry of Education and The improvement of subject syllabi is understood to mean better alignment of the syllabi with the principles set out in the general parts of the National Curriculum and thereby the optimisation of student workload.

3 j. Developing educational centres of ecellence at universities responsible for teacher training. k. Implementing the general education programme under the Lifelong Learning Strategy l. Implementation of the "Interesting school" initiative and gradual development of a broadbased and all-inclusive school reform movement which would include society's various interest groups. m. The development and implementation of a performance evaluation model for heads of school. n. Development of a basis for the differentiation of teachers' pay. II. Reorganisation of the school network Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. The universities responsible for teacher training have submitted proposals for activities. Financing decisions are scheduled to be adopted in April Implementation continues. Ongoing activity. The working group has been developing the principles starting from August The implementation requires amendments to the Basic School and Upper Secondary School Act, for which the legislative intent has been prepared. The content of the activity has changed; the programme for teachers and educational institution administrators under the Lifelong Learning Strategy foresees the development of a basis for the differentiation of teachers salaries and the provision of feedback regarding the development of competences. The time frame has also changed the programme under the Lifelong Learning Strategy is scheduled to be launched in the third quarter of a. Integrated planning of post-lower secondary study slots in general and vocational education (including clearer separation between lower and upper secondary levels). Ministry of Education and 3 When planning learning slots in state upper secondary schools in large cities and county seats, both general and vocational students, as well as adult students will be taken into consideration. The corresponding indicators will be reflected in the school network programme under the Lifelong Learning Strategy.

4 b. Reorganisation of the network of upper secondary schools and starting the investments' programme with a view to improving the quality of the entire school network. Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. The school network is being reorganised and strong county upper secondary schools are being established. There are nine (9) state upper secondary schools in Estonia in the 2015/2016 academic year. On 1 September 2016, state upper secondary schools will be opened in Kärdla, Valga and Põlva. Agreements on opening a state upper secondary school have been reached with the following local authorities: Kohtla-Järve, Rapla, Viimsi, Paide; 2019 Saue rural municipality; 2020 Harku rural municipality. A measure was announced in April 2016 under which local authorities reorganising their school network can apply for support to improve the infrastructure of lower secondary schools. c. Implementing the school network programme under the Lifelong Learning Strategy d. Reviewing the proportions of funding provided to different types of education, with emphasis on effectiveness. e. Implementing the digital transformation programme under the Lifelong Learning Strategy Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and 3 Ongoing activity. The school network programme was approved in March In order to ensure the sustainability of the educational system and uniform availability of high-quality education across Estonia, a school network programme was prepared, the main focus of which is on the reorganisation of the network of general education schools and which includes the principles that are the basis of the planning of investments until The general education funding model was updated with emphasis on effectiveness through the school network reform. A new vocational education funding model is being developed. A new higher education funding model has been launched and changes have been proposed to the funding model. We participated in a survey on the effectiveness of education systems carried out by OECD. OECD and eperts involved in the survey have prepared policy recommendations based on the results of the survey. Programme has been launched, relevant EU Structural Funds measures opened.

5 2. To align training and education with the needs of the modern labour market (including making better use of the potential of the EU internal market and other policies) and to increase the proportion of people with specialised education at the vocational or higher education levels I. Ensuring the availability of educated and skilled labour corresponding to the needs of the modern labour market a. Accreditation of vocational education schools and improvement of the quality of management in cooperation with eperts in the field. Ministry of Education and 3 Ongoing activity. b. Developing a competence-based system of forecasting labour needs including the need for foreign labour c. Preparing the competence register for the development of a competence catalogue and a competence-based self-evaluation web environment. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and 3 Launching the OSKA system (system for coordinating development of people's skills). 3 In 2015, the Ministry of Education and, and the Estonian Qualifications Authority prepared a proposal to the Ministry of Economic for an analysis of the development needs and areas in the register of professions. The proposal received a positive response at the end of A procurement process for analysing and mapping will be prepared and carried out in A proposal for the development of the register based on the results of the analysis will be submitted to the Ministry of Economic in d. Development of a professional qualification system to promote a bridging between the worlds of education and work. e. Implementing the Lifelong Learning Strategy 2020 programme for consolidating the labour market and learning. f. Implementing the Lifelong Learning Strategy 2020 learning and career counselling programme. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and 3 Ongoing activity. Important developments occurred as a result of the amendment of the Professions Act and the implementation of the OSKA system. 3 2,3

6 g. Implementing the support measure Promoting adult education and improving learning opportunities. h. Development of work-based learning in vocational education; additional apprenticeship opportunities are being created and traineeship systems for vocational and higher educational institutions are being developed. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and 2,3 The conditions for granting support were established on 8 June Also, two regulations on open application rounds have been approved. The conditions for granting support and the open application rounds facilitate the return to formal education of adults who have not completed secondary education; a system of recognition of previous learning and working eperience (VÕTA) is being developed for adult upper secondary schools; inservice training is planned to be provided to at least 65,000 people for their professional development and the development of the key competencies under the lifelong learning concept; activities to promote lifelong learning have also been planned. In the first half of 2016, opportunities for professional development were offered to approimately 6,200 people. 2,3 Ongoing activity. Additional places for apprentices and trainees will be created until 2020 and best models for cooperation between Estonian companies and educational institutions are being developed.

7 i. Stage II of the amendment to the Aliens Act (simplification and shortening of the process for issuing residence and work permits in order to improve access to the Estonian labour market for highly qualified foreign labour) Ministry of the Interior 3 In 2015, the following amendments to the Aliens Act were adopted (the amendments entered into force on 1 January 2016): The introduction of a 90 day transitional period after the epiry of a residence permit (183 days for foreign nationals, graduates from Estonian universities. and researchers(teaching staff)) during which a foreign national may stay in Estonia and apply for a residence permit on new grounds; The introduction of a new ground for granting a residence permit of a temporary residence permit to settle permanently in Estonia to a person who has lived in Estonia for at least three years and is well adapted to life in Estonia; An opportunity to alleviate labour shortages in certain sectors specified by the Government by paying employees at least the average wages normally paid in a sector as opposed to the requirement to pay at least the annual average salary in Estonia, multiplied by a coefficient of 1.24; The Unemployment Insurance Fund may give a permission to hire more than one foreign national if no labour force with equivalent skills and qualifications can be found locally; A foreign national staying in Estonia temporarily or based on a temporary residence permit may work in Estonia as a temporary agency worker; A foreign national who is working in Estonia may be simultaneously employed by more than one employer. j. Stage III of the amendment to the Aliens Act (temporary residence permits for large-scale investors, ecluding large-scale investors from the immigration quota, changing the requirement of permanent residency) II. Supporting the educational path and career choices of young people to increase students' awareness of the working world and reduce the number of school dropouts Ministry of the Interior

8 a. The provision of services within the framework of youth guarantee measures for young people aged between 16 and 29 in order to provide working, education and training opportunities (the "First job" support scheme combined with training; measures to involve and activate youth not active in employment, education or training). Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. Youth guarantee measures have been developed and the provision of the service started in January The NEET youth support measures were implemented in b. Implementing a Youth Policy Action Plan programme designed to prevent the risk of eclusion and to increase employment of young people. c. Implementing structural funds' measure "Labour market services to ensure better opportunities for employment". Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. The programme was approved in the spring of Ministry of Social Affairs 2, 3 Implemented; the conditions for the support of the measure were approved in 2014 and the implementation started in The continuing activity is funded from the funds of the period. An application round was opened at the end of d. Ensuring career services for young people at lower and upper secondary levels as well as higher education levels. Ministry of Education and 3 In 2014, the programme for the last period "Development of the Career Service System" was completed successfully and a new learning and career services programme was implemented. In all counties, Rajaleidja (Pathfinder) Centres were opened, which provide integrated learning and career counselling services to children and young people, parents, educational institution employees and other specialist that work with children. In , individual learning guidance and career services will be provided to at least 174,930 children and young people. Career counselling services for over-26-year-old students is ensured through the Unemployment Insurance Fund and university career centres.

9 e. Providing career counsellors and pupils with substantial information about the world of work (salaries, labour market trends, job profiles, etc.). f. Raising parents awareness of further study opportunities and career planning for young people. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and 3 The development of a database of occupations for the Rajaleidja (Pathfinder) portal in cooperation with the professional associations, Kutsekoda and other partners. In 2015, a prototype of a new Rajaleidja portal was developed in cooperation with the successful bidder. Unfortunately, limited resources have not allowed the organisation the procurement of the web version of the portal. Five new descriptions of professions were published in the Rajaleidja professions database. An education and labour market information workshop was organised; one of the topics discussed during the workshop was the OSKA project. The activity will continue in In 2015, a series of articles on how to support young people s learning mobility was published in cooperation between Rajaleidja and the learning mobility network. The career counsellors of Rajaleidja provided information lectures to parents in counties (598 participants), workshops (298 participants), group counselling (311 participants), and individual counselling (105 participants), etc. A total of 1,404 parents participated in the career-related events. Cooperation with the OSKA programme will continue in The development of the Rajaleidja portal and professions database will also continue. 25 new descriptions of professions and personal stories concerning the ICT professions are being prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic. Career counselling for parents will continue through county centres. g. Analysis of the principles of a monitoring system for schoolchildren and NEET youth and preparation of relevant proposals. III. Developing entrepreneurship and other key competences Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and

10 a. The development, testing and implementation of a business studies module at all levels of education. b. More active involvement of entrepreneurs in the development of training objectives and definition of learning outcomes for different types of schools. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and The activity "Systematic development of enterprise and entrepreneurship at all educational levels" under the programme of improving the labour market relevance of education and training. 3 The activity Systematic development of enterprise and entrepreneurship at all educational levels has a subactivity to support projects for making schools more entrepreneurial and conducting practical business learning. However, the involvement of entrepreneurs is not limited to entrepreneurship studies. It is a crosssectional theme of the Lifelong Learning Strategy as a whole (e.g., Objective 1: Change in the approach to learning; Objective 3: Relevance of lifelong learning opportunities to the labour market needs). The activity Systematic development of enterprise and entrepreneurship at all educational levels has a subactivity to support projects for making schools more entrepreneurial and conducting practical business learning. However, the involvement of entrepreneurs is not limited to entrepreneurship studies. It is a crosscutting theme of the Lifelong Learning Strategy as a whole (e.g. Objective 1: Change in the approach to learning; Objective 3: Relevance of lifelong learning opportunities to the labour market needs). c. We are considering the creation of a database of case studies based on Estonian companies in order to promote entrepreneurship and economic education. Ministry of Education and 3 We have contemplated creating a database of case studies. Various programmes and the relevant activities under the programmes have been developed (see the previous section). Measure The development of a model of entrepreneurship studies... includes the development and making available of learning materials. Therefore, the activity may be considered to have been completed and the above measure seen as a follow-up activity.

11 d. Continuing the implementation of joint curricula at higher education institutions in order to enable students of different departments to learn the basic knowledge and skills of other professions, with emphasis on providing entrepreneurship-related knowledge and skills to students other than economics students. Ministry of Education and In 2014, eight higher education institutions signed a memorandum of cooperation with the aim of developing enterprise and entrepreneurship studies. The preincubation stage has been completed. The memorandum of cooperation serves as a starting point for cooperation between higher education institutions with the aim of developing and implementing the programme. This measure is implemented under the measure "The development of a model of entrepreneurship studies..." in cooperation between higher education institutions. Therefore, the activity may be considered to have been completed. 3. Increasing international competitiveness of higher education a. Continued promotion of the development of international joint curricula. Ministry of Education and b. SF programme Higher education speciality scholarships in growth areas of smart specialisation. c. SF programme Institutional development programme for research and development institutions and higher education institutions. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and On 8 April 2015, the conditions for providing support for the activity "Institutional development programme for research and development institutions and higher education schools" were approved by Regulation No. 17 of the Minister of Education and ; within the framework of the conditions, higher educational institutions can apply for grants to develop joint international curricula. The activity is planned to be launched in The conditions for granting support under the measure Higher education scholarships in smart specialisation growth areas were established by Directive No. 441 of 21 November 2015 of the Minister of Education and. The activity is implemented by SA Archimedes. 3 An application round was launched and has reached the stage of decision-making and negotiations. The conditions for providing support were approved by Regulation No. 17 of 8 April 2015 of the Minister of Education and. The application round was open until 30 October proposals were received at the deadline. Funding decisions will be made in the second quarter of 2016.

12 d. Developing support measures designed to prioritise the development of internationally strong areas (including ensuring further funding of Masters curricula launched successfully under the special measure). e. SF measure Facilitating the internationalisation of research and higher education. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Activity completed. Conditions for granting support for the implementation of activity The internationalisation of research and higher education; support of mobility and future generations Dora Plus were established by the Directive of 9 December 2015 of the Minister of Education and ; conditions for granting support for the implementation of activity The internationalisation of research and higher education; support of mobility and future generations Mobilitas Pluss were established by Directive No. 481 on 30 December 2015 by the Minister of Education and. The activities will be implemented by SA Archimedes and SA Eesti Teadusagentuur, respectively. The implementation of activities has started. f. Continuing the reorganisation of higher education financing and the diversification of sources of financing through the consolidation of the areas of responsibility at the universities. g. Increasing opportunities to use mobility grants for the promotion of international cooperation between students and researchers. h. Continuing study grant programmes targeted at foreign doctoral students. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education and 3 Activity Institutional development programme for R&D institutions and higher educational institutions is designed to support, inter alia, the implementation of structural changes (including the organisation of mergers at universities and R&D institutions) as well as the strengthening and development of areas of responsibility. Activity completed. Studies of foreign (and visiting) doctoral students are supported under the activity The internationalisation of research and higher education; support of mobility and future generations Dora Plus, approved by the Directive of 9 December 2015 of the Minister of Education and.

13 i. Launching a needs-based study grants system. Ministry of Education and 4. Increasing the impact of active labour market policy and sustainability of financing I. Improving the quality and efficiency of the provision of labour market measures 2,3 Activity completed, and the needs-based study grants system has been launched. In addition, transfer to free of charge higher education and the implementation of the needs-based study grants system was analysed. Based on the analysis, an amendment to legislation was adopted in the autumn of 2014, establishing a new type of study grant: a special needs-based grant in the amount of 135 per month and the student work load required for being eligible to receive the grant was reduced from 100% to 75%. In February 2015, the Riigikogu adopted provisions granting access to student loans for students studying part time. a. Implementation of the work capacity reform (incl. creating a system for assessing work capacity, the provision of services to the target group, the necessary information echange IT solutions for implementing the activities and condition for providing grants "The provision of labour market services to the work capacity reform target group" and "Increasing the work capacity of the work capacity reform target group and promoting their working"). b. The integration of the physical therapy and rehabilitation systems into a single customercentred whole system in order to offer timely and smoothly functioning services. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The piloting of the work capacity assessment system was completed; the methodology was improved and the conditions for assessing work capacity were established by a directive of the Minister. The conditions for granting support under the activity The provision of labour market services to the target group of the work capacity reform" were approved by Directive No. 57 of 27 March 2015 of the Minister if Social Affairs. The services were launched on 1 January The conditions for granting support under the activity "Increasing the work capacity of the work capacity reform target group and promoting their working were approved on 21 July The conditions for granting support under the activity Activities supporting the work capacity system were approved on 26 March The legislation required for full implementation of the reform have been adopted or are being prepared. Ministry of Social Affairs 2

14 c. The provision of social services (incl. services to ease the care load, support social transport and other needs) for improving access to labour market services and to support getting a job (The structural funds measure "Welfare measures support participation in the labour market ) as well as for improving the quality of social services. d. Analysis of, and proposals regarding in-service training and re-training measures intended to prevent unemployment. e. Establishing of support scheme for creating jobs to balance the labour market in Ida-Viru County. f. Creating a national "Diverse Workplace" sign to recognise the companies that promote equality. g. The provision of career counselling services to people of the working age (SF measure Developing the competences of the adult population, Action Working age individuals who have received career counselling ). h. To provide measures for helping retirement aged workers to stay in employment. i. The implementation of the Welfare Development Plan Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The conditions for granting support for the development of social services were adopted on 27 March 2015; the conditions for granting support to local governments under an open application round (to be approved by Regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs Welfare measures support participation in the labour market ) are scheduled to be adopted in the second quarter of Ministry of Social Affairs 2,3 Ministry of Social Affairs 2 A relevant measure is being developed. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The concept of the sign is being developed. The deadline for the development of the concept and submission of proposals established in the Government of the Republic Action Plan is May Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Ongoing activity. In 2014 the terms of funding Increasing the availability of career services were prepared, based on which career counselling services will be provided to employed and non-active people. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Ongoing activity. In 2014, the TAT Better opportunities for participating in employment was prepared, based on which labour market services will be provided to retirement age people. Ministry of Social Affairs 2

15 j. Regular gender pay gap audits in the public sector within the public sector yeabook. Ministry of Finance 2 This is an activity of the HEA implementation plan under which guidelines on pay audits will be developed in cooperation with the Public Administration and Public Service Department of the Ministry of Finance and implemented at public sector agencies with 50+ employees (including local governments). The obligation of conducting pay audits will be laid down in the Gender Equality Act, effective from 1 January A pay audit should be conducted in all areas of government no later than by November 2017 after which the conclusions are presented to the Government (it is possible that the presentation of the results will be combined with the activity of the Minister of Public Administration Regular staff and pay analyses as input to the State Budget Act and the State Budget ). k. Strategy for the collection and publication of reliable and up-to-date data on the pay gap. l. Assessment and comparison guidelines supporting the implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value. Ministry of Finance 2 Ministry of Social Affairs 2 In order to reduce the gender pay cap, the Labour Inspectorate is authorised to monitor the remuneration and benefits paid by employers to men and women for equal work or work of equal value. For this purpose, the draft amendment to Gender Equality Act is prepared and submitted to the Government. The draft amendments are scheduled to be submitted in August 2017 and adopted in January For the Labour Inspectorate to implement the monitoring powers, guidelines for the assessment and comparison of work are required. m. Increasing the klowledge about stereotypic career choices of boys and girls among schoolchildren Ministry fo Social Affairs, ministry of Education and 2

16 n. Implementation of the action plan for reducing gender pay gap. o. Authorising the Labour Inspectorate to monitor the remuneration and benefits paid by employers to men and women for equal work or work of equal value. p. Increasing the regional labour supply (SF measure Better opportunities for participating in employment ). q. Analysis of the fleibility of social ta and the related social guarantees. r. Analysis of the usage of fleible working time arrangements and non-permanent work contracts Ministry of Social Affairs 2 In addition to the activities carried out within the framework of the ESF programme Promotion of gender equality , (see J75), the following has occurred: a re-survey related to the gender-based wage gap (Statistics Estonia) was conducted within the framework of the work and family life with Norwegian grants within the framework of the gender equality and the programme for reconciling work and family life; the capacity of the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner to provide advice and help to victims of discrimination has been supported, incl. for parents returning to work after parental leave, and to raise the awareness of the requirement of equality and equal pay for women and men and wage gap issues. In ; utilising the resources of the Norwegian grants, projects to integrate equality issues in higher education will also be implemented, incl. in teacher training, which will help to increase to a wider circulation of values and attitudes related to equality and to the reduction of gender inequality and the wage gap. In addition, projects that support the improvement of Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Draft amendments to the Gender Equality Act. The draft amendments are scheduled to be submitted in August 2016 and adopted in January Ministry of Social Affairs 2,5 Ongoing activity. In the first half of 2015, a service to increase the regional labour supply was developed within the framework of the terms of funding Better opportunities for participating in employment. The provision of the mobility support started in Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Ministry of Social Affairs 2

17 s. Introducing the cross-border recruitment opportunities opened up by the updating of EURES, the EU's job mobility portal, to job seekers and employers. t. To improve the quality of welfare services, by developing a uniform quality framework that ensures the uniform quality and availability of services throughout Estonia. u. Introducing the results of the task force on reducing the burden of care and gradual implementation of proposals. II. The development of family policies in order to better reconcile work and family life a. The creation of childcare and kindergarten placements, paying attention to under-three-yearolds and focusing on the municipalities with the greatest lack of placements and the provision of fleible and close-to-home services. b. Analysis and proposals for changing the system of parental leave and parental benefits in order to allow a more fleible combination of work and family life. Ministry of Social Affairs 2,3 The activity was postponed because the proceedings concerning the EURES Regulation in the Council have taken longer than epected. The Regulation is scheduled to be adopted in the first half of 2016 after which preparations for the implementation of new possibilities will start. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Government Office 2 The task force on reducing the burden of care was established on 3 December Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and 2 The conditions of granting support under the measure Development of childcare services and welfare services for disabled children to reduce the care-giving load were developed and approved by the Social Protection Minister in November The first application round was carried out in 2015, resulting in 568 new kindergarten places. The application round organised under the measure is intended to support local governments in creating new kindergarten and childcare placements. The regulation on the measure was approved in the spring of The activities contribute to the implementation of country-specific recommendation No. 2 because they improve access to childcare services and country-specific recommendation No. 5 because they support local governments in the provision of public services (childcare, pre-school education, support person). Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Action Plan of the Government of the Republic, paragraphs 1.10 and 1.11.

18 c. Development of the system of family benefits Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Finance d. Analysis of support measures targeted at unemployed parents and proposals for legislative amendments e. The development of welfare services for disabled children with the goal of minimising the caregiver's development restrictions related to the labour market. f. Analysis of services and support for children with disabilities. g. Launching a new national child protection arrangement starting from 2016, including establishing a national child protection unit. h. Implementation of the family-friendly employer sign model. 2 Legislative amendments to increase child benefits (increasing the benefits for the first and second child to 60 by 2019) and to introduce a large family benefit were adopted in The subsistence level was increased to 130. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 Analysis of support measures targeted at unemployed parents and proposals for legislative amendments Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The conditions of granting support under the measure Development of childcare services and welfare services for disabled children to reduce the care-giving load were developed and approved by the Social Protection Minister in November Within the framework of the TAT, support services will be developed and provided for children with serious and profound disabilities, thereby reducing the care-giving load of the parents and obstacles to participating in employment and a system will be developed to recognise family-friendly employers. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The basic analysis of services and support for children with disabilities covers all children with disabilities (including those with moderate disabilities) and includes proposals for the organisation of rehabilitation and educational services so that these would be more accessible to children, as well as the development of organisational and funding models. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The Child Protection Act was adopted in 2015; the activity of the child protection unit was launched under the Act. Ministry of Social Affairs 2 The development of the family-friendly employer sign model has been completed and is being implemented. i. Implementation of the childcare and pre-school education concept. Ministry of Education and, Ministry of Social Affairs 5. Increasing the healthy years of life by improving health related behaviours and reducing the number of accidents as well as developing the healthcare infrastructure. 2 The development of the concept in cooperation with stakeholders and during its implementation.

19 I. Reducing the number of injuries and deaths from injuries and improving health related behaviour a. Initiation and implementation of an evidencebased parenting programme to prevent risky behaviour. b. Implementation of an action plan developed by Task Force for the prevention and reduction of injury-related deaths. Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. In order to prevent children s risky behaviour, between 2013 and 2016, the parenting programme The Incredible Years for Estonian and Russian speaking parents will be piloted within the European Economic Area grants programme called Atrisk Children and Young People. The pilot includes the purchase of the programme/agreement with the developers, the translation of the materials, the training and periodic supervision of the instructors, training for the parents, and impact studies. The pilot programme will be implemented in cooperation with the National Institute for Health Development, which will conclude the corresponding agreements with the local governments, where the training will be conducted. After the epiry of the EMP programme funds, additional funds will be applied for from the State Budget for the implementation of the parenting programme. Ministry of Social Affairs The activities initiated by the Injuries Taskforce will continue, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

20 c. Development and improvement of additional light vehicle roads, recreational sites, tracks, trails and the related infrastructure (in supported from the SF measures Improving regional competitiveness, Sustainable development of urban areas and Sustainable development of the cities of Ida-Viru county ). Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture Within the framework of the 2014 light traffic roads support outline, the light traffic roads plan with 16 projects in the amount of 5 million was approved. In addition, a supplementary list of light traffic roads as a reserve project was established in the Structural Funds measure Development of Urban Areas. The conditions of the measures Sustainable development of urban areas and Sustainable development of Ida-Viru County urban areas entered into force on 9 March 2015; the preparation of the action plans for the urban areas will follow. The conditions of the measure called Strengthening regional competitiveness entered into force on 20 February 2015; on 6 March 2015, the county governments submitted plans of action for strengthening regional competitiveness to the SiM for approval. d. Implementation of measures to promote active lifestyles, including the development and piloting of measures supporting eercise habits in the school environment and local community. e. Implementation of the green paper on alcohol use in order to reduce alcohol-related damage to health and society. Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ongoing activity. To create opportunities (including for people with special needs) to participate in recreational sports and to support their eercise habits. The development and piloting of an eercise programme for schools. Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing continuing activity. Under the direction of the SoM, a inter-ministry work group meets for the implementation of the measures (in regard to monitoring table activities and the people responsible); of the 2014 activities. Including: the continued preparation of an alcoholism treatment guide; the programme A soberer and healthier Estonia (ESF ) was developed; the implementation of the Effect programme to prevent alcohol consumption by young people continued; the RD&I alcohol prevention campaign; the application round of the Norwegian financing mechanism directed at alcohol prevention; the development of draft amendments to the Alcohol Act, and the Advertising Act (limiting the availability and advertising of alcoholic beverages).

21 f. Implementation of the green paper on tobacco use in order to reduce tobacco-related damage to health and society. Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. The minister s directive on the establishment of a tobacco policy working group, the implementation of the green book measures and adoption of the EU tobacco directive; in 2015, draft amendments to the Tobacco Act were prepared (transposition of EU Directive 2014/40/EU). g. Preparing a green paper on diet and eercise. Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. The green paper is epected to be completed in h. Continuing of regular communication regarding a Ministry of Social Affairs Under preparation. balanced and healthy diet. i. Continuing the programme for beginner level Ministry of Culture, Ongoing activity. swimming classes. Ministry of Education and j. Increasing the volume of regular health checks and various health monitoring and screening programmes, with the aim to detect possible health disorders at an early stage. II. Developing the health infrastructure Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. The volume of regular health check-ups in the budget of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund is increasing the monetary volume of the preventative health monitoring and screening programmes has increased by 4% between 2001 and 2015; at the same time, a large number of activities are also included in general healthcare and are not separated out (e.g., health check-ups for infants and children, check-ups for those in risk groups for the discovery of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, etc.). a. Developing primary level healthcare centres in attraction centres (SF measure Ensuring accessible and high-quality health services in order to promote employment retention, and returning to employment"). b. Strengthening of the centres of competence in the hospital network (SF measure Ensuring accessible and high-quality health services in order to promote employment retention, and returning to employment"). c. Implementing the national e-health strategy in order to use the opportunities provided by ICT development in order to improve public health and develop the healthcare and welfare system. Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. Regulation of the Minister of Health and Labour Modernisation of primary health care centres, approved on 12 August Application round for the development of an investment plan with deadline for submissions on 9 May Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. Regulation No. 18 of 27 March 2015 of the Minister of Health and Labour Modernisation the centres of competence of the hospital network The investment plan was approved; projects are being implemented/prepared. Government Office Ministry of Social Affairs Ongoing activity. The strategy was adopted at Cabinet meeting in Dec The action plan for implementation is in preparation (several concrete initiative already in eecution).

22 COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Formulating a policy to facilitate long-term increases in the international competitiveness of companies I. Modern business environments a. Increasing the proportion of accepted claims of creditors that are satisfied in bankruptcy proceedings; codification of the right of insolvency. b. Supplementing an analysis prepared by the working group on legal framework on self-employment by the mapping of the issues related to the taation of, and reporting by micro-enterprises and alternative solutions. Ministry of Justice Ongoing activities. In 2015, the initial task for the insolvency codification/revision project is being drawn up with the goal of starting the codification of the right of insolvency in Ministry of Finance c. The task force on cutting red tape. Ministry of Economic, Government Office Ministry of Finance d. Speeding up bankruptcy and eecution Ministry of Justice proceedings; preparing the amendments to the laws related to bankruptcy and enforcement proceedings. e. Implementation of the performance agreement on the promotion of entrepreneurship studies in Estonia, signed with the University of Tartu. Ministry of Education and, Ministry of Economic The ministry of Economic collected proposals for cutting red tape. A special task force will be established for the implementation of the proposals. Tartu University coordinated the cooperation with other schools of higher education, and interested parties for the promotion of entrepreneurial learning, as the result of which eight schools of higher education signed a cooperation memorandum and formulated the goals and course of action for entrepreneurial learning. Based on working out the conditions for providing grants under the EU ESF activity Systematic development of enterprise and entrepreneurship at all educational levels.

23 f. To implement the programme Entrepreneur's Right 2 with an aim of simplifying communication, reporting and procedures between entrepreneurs and the state. Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic At a cabinet meeting on 29 January 2015, the Government of the Republic decided to approve the programme Entrepreneur s Right 2. Ongoing activities. For the purpose of developing the specific sector of the economic administration right and bringing it into conformity with the general sector is underway (constant process). Public procurement (based on the EU initiative) and calculation policy is being dealt with. Of the topics in the specific sector, the updating of the codification of corporate law has completed the initial phase awaiting final approval by the Government Office, so that a substantive analysis could be started. The activities of the commercial register and business portal have partially started (the implementation of the online accounting environment provided by the state). Within the framework of intellectual property rights, the various data systems of the Patent Office will be updated, which will simplify the life of those applying to the Patent Office and the employees of the office, this is primarily in connection with the protection of trademarks (trademarks are numerically the largest industrial property object being protected). g. To update the action plan for north-eastern Estonia (Ida-Viru county) with regard to the activities aimed at developing the regional business environment and prepare a similar action plan for south-eastern Estonia. h. Physical, social and economic revival of underused city areas by using SF measure Sustainable development of the cities of Ida-Viru county. Ministry of Finance The plan of action and implementation plan for Southeast Estonia was introduced to the Government Cabinet on 22 January 2015 and the plan of action and implementation plan for Ida-Viru County on 26 February The Minister of the Interior approved the action plans and the implementation plans with his decree on 13 February 2015 and 10 March 2015 respectively. Ministry of Finance Ongoing activity. The conditions of the measures Sustainable development of Ida-Viru County urban areas entered into force on 9 March 2015; the preparation of plans of action in the urban areas will follow.

24 i. To support the development of the business environment by using SF measures Improving regional competitiveness and Development of regional competence centres. j. Raising the competitiveness of the business environment through cross-border collaboration (EE-LV, EE-RU, The Mid-Baltic Sea programmes) Ministry of Finance Ongoing activity. The conditions of the measure called Strengthening regional competitiveness entered into force on 20 February 2015; on 6 March 2015, the county governments submitted plans of action for strengthening regional competitiveness to the SiM for approval. The conditions for the measure called Development of regional competence centres are being prepared and will probably come in to force in the second quarter of A supplementary application round for eisting regional competence centres took place in the fourth quarter of 2014 for the measure called Development of competence centres. Ministry of Finance I call=9 funded projects, 17 partners with the 4,5M budget. EE-LV I call ended EE-RU program will start by the end of k. Developing a green paper of Estonian industrial policies. l. Analysis of identifying the owners of public e- Services, and implementation of relevant proposals. Ministry of Economic Ministry of Economic The development of the green paper with active involvement of the industry s umbrella organisations and third parties is going according to plan, and the green paper is epected to be approved by the Government in April Proposals have been prepared and discussed by the Government in the spring of The following tasks were agreed: secretary-generals will be responsible for overall development and quality of services; all ministries should appoint concrete service managers (done), Ministry of Economic Affairs has to prepare a standard for evaluation of service quality and web-based instrument to measure quality (done), all ministries have to publish online by 1 July 2016 an overview of the services they provide and their quality, incl. situation by indicators (in works).